Performance by the drama course at Witten/Herdecke University

WittenLab. Zukunftslabor Studium fundamentaleThe place to experiment, reflect and create

Your space for reflection, critical thinking and social engagement

The WittenLab. Zukunftslabor Studium fundamentale at Witten/Herdecke University is a place for personal development and a space for freedom within your degree programme! The WittenLab organises the diverse range of seminars on offer as part of the ‘Studium fundamentale’ (Stufu).

An interdisciplinary team plans, coordinates and supports the entire Stufu programme – from organising seminars to developing innovative educational concepts.

  • CHE Seal 2026/2027
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What is the WittenLab. Zukunftslabor Studium fundamentale?

For any questions regarding the Studium fundamentale (Stufu), the WittenLab is your central point of contact.

As a ‘laboratory for the future’, the WittenLab creates spaces for exchange, critical thinking and social engagement – both within and outside the university. The WittenLab sees itself as a place that promotes critical thinking, responsible action and active participation in shaping processes of social change.

In addition to the Stufu, a multidisciplinary team organises public cultural events, seminars and lecture series, academic events and an artist-in-residence programme, whilst supporting voluntary work during studies and civic engagement. As such, the WittenLab’s work extends far beyond the boundaries of the university.

A group in front of a quarry and a sign explaining what they are seeing

The Studium fundamentale

One of the WittenLab’s key areas of focus is the organisation and coordination of the courses offered as part of the Studium fundamentale programme. Every Thursday, students from the UW/H meet for the Stufu sessions.

About the Studium fundamentale

Initiative Laboratory

At Witten/Herdecke University, there are almost 50 student initiatives active in a wide variety of fields. The student-run ‘Initiativlabor’ supports, advises and connects these initiatives. The ‘Initiativlabor’ is based at WittenLab: Zukunftslabor Studium fundamentale.

About the Initiative Laboratory

The cultural programme ‘Das kleine W’

“Das kleine W” brings together all the events and dates from the WittenLab. Zukunftslabor Studium fundamentale. All events are open to anyone interested and are organised by the WittenLab.

To the events overview

The WittenLab sieben:viertel

One city, seven parts, seven neighbourhoods in the centre. ‘sieben:viertel’, WittenLab’s future workshop, brings the Studium fundamentale to Witten and the Ruhr region. Whether they are salons, seminars, workshops or conferences, all events are open to interested members of the public.

sieben-viertel.de

Volunteering whilst at university

The WittenLab. Zukunftslabor Studium fundamentale promotes voluntary work and efforts to make university studies more sustainable. Through an accompanying seminar, student involvement in the Studium fundamentale programme can be recognised for credit.
The Initiativlabor supports, advises and connects student initiatives.

About the Initiativlabor

Monitors and keyboards on desks against a wall

NEW! WittenLab. Media Lab

From AI-powered image processing to virtual reality: from the winter semester 26/27 onwards, the WittenLab Media Lab will provide lecturers on the Studium fundamentale programme with the technical infrastructure for media-based teaching, research and artistic project work.

About the WittenLab. Media Lab

WittenLab. Magazine

Artificial intelligence is changing our world. But how do we intend to live, learn and work with it? 
The sixth issue of our WittenLab Magazine invites you to discover new perspectives, ask questions and 
reflect on your own point of view in the age of AI.
 

Go to WittenLab Magazine

News

WittenLab events

Meeting of researchers at Witten/Herdecke University

Research

At the WittenLab. Zukunftslabor Studium fundamentale, researchers from various disciplines – including philosophy, communication studies, history, art history, musicology, sociology and psychology – collaborate on an interdisciplinary basis. They all aim to transcend the boundaries of their own disciplines in their research and to address cross-disciplinary research questions.

Research activities

Illustration of two essays, depicted in an abstract style, on a red background

Publications

All publications by the WittenLab. Zukunftslabor Studium fundamentale at UW/H are listed in the university bibliography.

University Bibliography

Executive Board and WittenLab Council

WittenLab Council

  • Dipl.-oec. Sebastian Benkhofer (Managing Director of WittenLab. Zukunftslabor Studium fundamentale)
  • Prof. Dr Renate Buschmann (Academic Director of WittenLab. Zukunftslabor Studium fundamentale)
  • Prof. Dr med. vet. Jan Ehlers (Vice President for Teaching and Learning)
  • Britta Koch (non-academic staff member at WittenLab. Zukunftslabor Studium fundamentale)
  • Jakob Mast (student at the Faculty of Management, Economics and Society)
  • Associate Professor Dr Kazuma Matoba (Research Fellow, WittenLab. Zukunftslabor Studium fundamentale)
  • Helena Müller-Peters (student at the Faculty of Health)
  • UMD Prof. Ingo Ernst Reihl (Professor at WittenLab. Zukunftslabor Studium fundamentale)
  • Prof. Dr Claus Volkenandt (Deputy Academic Director, WittenLab. Zukunftslabor Studium fundamentale)

The WittenLab. Zukunftslabor Studium fundamentale team

The entire team at WittenLab. Zukunftslabor Studium can be found HERE.

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